Brazil are football magicians. They turn a competition into a dance. "Football is not about fighting to the death," said their greatest player Pele. "You have to play beautifully."

Last night, they claimed their first victory in their 2022 World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Serbia. Brazil has won the tournament five times. If they win again, they will be the undisputed champions of football.

The pressure is on for star striker Neymar. As a child, he wanted to be the best. Aged 30, this is his last chance. "It is my biggest dream right now," he says. "I'm focused on winning." And with the strongest side in years, he intends to seize this chance.

But Brazil is not just about beautiful football. It is the world's fifth-largest country, home to over 217 million people. Portuguese is the official language, but there are also 304 indigenous groups and the largest population of people with African ancestry outside Africa.

And now: "Brazil is back", says president-elect Lula da Silva. For years, experts said Brazil was "the country of the future". Now its time may have come.

Lula was speaking at the COP27The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as the Conference of the Parties (COP). climate change summit in Egypt. Sixty per cent of the Amazon rainforest is in Brazil and must be protected to slow global warming. Lula wants to end deforestation by 2030.

That may be hard. The rainforest is rich in resources. Brazil mines iron, drills oil and sells beef, soyA type of small bean, used to make non-animal protein in many foods. and sugar abroad. Protecting the Amazon may make Brazilians poorer by glowing economic growth.

But Brazil has a secret weapon: tourism. It has over 2,000 tropical beaches. Millions celebrate the Rio de Janeiro carnival. The head of tourism plans to target football fans in Qatar. "With our beauties on display", he says, Brazil can boost tourism.

Still, Brazil has many problems. Poverty is high. The richest 1% earn the same as the poorest 50%, and millions live in slum neighbourhoods called favelas.¹

CorruptionWhen someone abuses their power for personal gain. It often involves bribery. is also a major problem. The outgoing president, Jair Bolsonaro, was accused of stealing public money.

In Qatar, Brazil hopes to reclaim the football crown. But, back home, the samba nation may be about to conquer the world.

Yes: We already love their food, music and football. Now Brazil can take leadership on the environment, tackling poverty and fighting corruption.

No: Brazil is not the country of the future. It is a politically divided country with complex problems that stop it from reaching its dreams.

Or... Every country has its strengths and weaknesses. World-class footballers and samba musicians escape the favelas, but an unequal society still keeps millions in poverty.

COP27 - The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as the Conference of the Parties (COP).

Soy - A type of small bean, used to make non-animal protein in many foods.

Corruption - When someone abuses their power for personal gain. It often involves bribery.